Time to discuss battery
 

My battery is very very old. Tested voltage on it before startup, 10.3. Everything is still functioning fine once started, but it seems like it starts just a bit harder every time.

So, I got a quote from Craig for part number 61212353810, which is some DE BATTERY, 90 AH, and the price is $190.00

I was sort of partial to getting another OE battery, since my current one is almost 6 years old. Yup, 6 years old is pretty good. Almost 3 years in service with me.

So few questions.
1. What have you guys purchased instead of OE?
2. What did you pay?
3. How well did it fit?
4. Where did you buy it?

Thanks in advance.

You do know that there are only two companies that actually manufacture batteries. Everyone else just buy their batteries from them but slap their name on it.

Exide and Johnson Controls

If you want OEM go with the Exide battery.

GT1 ,as You know OE fits great and are pretty reliable for the most part.I payed $210 on my 4.6is but the 06-4.8is has a 1 year old battery in her.
I tell you one thing about BMW,I found out about the bulletin on Valvetronic intermediate levers in the cylinder heads and I am not very happy having to be surprised every month with these cars.
Good luck with the battery

I did not. And I was hoping that part number would be and exide based on all the people here recommending them. That being said, how does one go about buying an exide that fits?

What the hell is a DE battery anyway?

Check your production date. Mine actually does not fall into that range, and I have the updated parts, supposedly. Only way to verify is to open it up, and check the part numbers. Which I will do when I do the valve covers.

I bought a used battery off this guy on CL for $50!
He works for the bmw dealership and told me he tested the battery and it passed all tests. The reason why he is selling is because he needed to certify a vehicle and it won't pass bmw certification with an aftermarket battery (Diehard)..
SO I got a good deal on a good battery. I didn't plug in the vent tube though but oh well it works good no issues so far.

LOL. Yea not going that route. And you do realize that the vent, not plugged in, is venting hard core shit into your cabin.

Thanks GT1 will do.

Theres another company that makes batteries for our car by the name of DEKA i believe. They actually were local around me when i lived back on the east coast.

Here you go man, directly from this board - should help you.

BMW OE
- (Douglas) P/N 61-21-8-381-762.
720 CCA 160 RC $144.50 retail
- Current replacement is an Exide battery P/N 61-21-7-586-962.
720 CCA 160 RC $199.99 retail

DEKA
- Exact Fit Model 649MF
900 CCA 185 RC 13.9375" x 6.875" x 7.5" 18 FR 70 PR
- Exact Fit Model 9AGM49 (All Glass Mat version of above)
900 CCA 180 RC 13.9375" x 6.875" x 7.5" 18 FR 70 PR

DURALAST
-Gold Duralast H8-DLG
760 CCA 100 RC 13.9375" x 6.875" x 7.5" 36 FR 96 PR

EXIDE
- Classic 49-60
850 CCA 1000 CA 140 RC 14" x 6.875" x 7.4375" 20 FR 60 PR
- Global Extreme L5/49-E108
900 CCA 1080 CA 185 RC 14" x 6.875" x 7.4375" 40 FR 108 PR

INTERSTATE
- Megatron Plus MTP-49/H8
720 CCA 900 CA 176 RC 13.9375" x 6.875" x 7.5" 30 FR 85 PR
- Megatron Plus MTP-49/H8A (All Glass Mat version of above)
900 CCA 1000 CA 158 RC 13.9375" x 6.875" x 7.5" 30 FR 85 PR